It was an aggressive and experienced Saina Nehwal who scripted a stunning tale at the Carrara Sports Arena on Sunday morning to stun PV Sindhu and eventually bag the CWG gold medal in women's singles in badminton. The Delhi gold medallist took home the yellow metal with a remarkable 21-18, 23-21 win over the Rio silver medallist.

Photo Credit: PTI&nbsp

New Delhi: In a battle of the two Indian badminton queens at the Commonwealth Games 2018 for the prestigious gold medal, it was an aggressive and experienced Saina Nehwal who scripted a stunning tale at the Carrara Sports Arena on Sunday morning to stun PV Sindhu and eventually bag the CWG gold medal in women's singles in badminton. The Delhi gold medallist took home the yellow metal with a remarkable 21-18, 23-21 win over the Rio silver medallist in 56 minutes.

Saina took off to a fascinating start the Carrara Sports Arena showing sparks of her spirit that had led her to victory in 2010. She was elegant, yet aggressive with her smashes not letting the Glasgow bronze medallist to make a comeback. With a stunning cross-court drop shot, she opened the lead to 6-4 and then with sublime strokes she dictated the rallies leading 11-6 at the mid-set interval of the first game. He had bagged five consecutive points in a row to get the edge. Sindhu did show signs of a comeback, making that effort, right at the start of the next half and towards the end, but it was all Saina as she took home the first game 21-18.

The second game started all poised with either shuttler taking the alternative point until 5-5. Sindhu then took command over the long rallies, and some with the mistakes from Saina as the younger of the two led 11-8 at the mid-set interval. Returning from the break, Saina bagged two straight points and then split the following two points, but the score still in favour of Sindhu. However, Saina determined to keep the pressure on bagged three consecutive points on a roll with astute finesse to cut the gap to 15-14. The cat-and-mouse chase to stay atop ended after a long rally lasting 68 seconds brought back Saina into the game, making it all poised at 19-all.

In the end, it was an epic showdown that displayed Saina's brilliancy with the racquet which Sindhu simply couldn't measure upto as the former took the second game 23-21.

Right after the epic battle, Aparna Popat said on air, "Saina Nehwal has iconic status in Indian sport and today has added to that... Shows us why she's still a champion and has not lost her edge."

Sindhu, who won a Silver medal at Rio Olympics, advanced into the women's singles final with an easy win over defending champion Michelle Li 21-18 21-8 in just 26 minutes. On the other hand, Saina had to battle hard in her semi-final contest against 2014 silver medallist Kristy Gilmour whom she eventually defeated 21-14 18-21 21-17 in 68 minutes. Prior to the final, an elated Sindhu said that everybody was expecting a Saina vs Sindhu contest and it was finally here. "Everybody was hoping for this and it has finally come true. I think everyone will be watching on TV. It's going to be a good match. I'll just play my game and give my best," the 22-year-old said.